Did you know that an average person walks the equivalent of 2.5 times the circumference of the world, or that if left all day in shoes and socks the foot can reach a temperature of 160 degrees? Can you imagine how much more punishment that dancer's feet would take? Carole Edrich asks two experts for advice on how best to look after our prime assets.

Fact box

Take care to go to a registered podiatrist or osteopath as the titles can be used by anyone. The HPC manages both disciplines in the UK

The foot has 26 bones, 25 thousand nerve endings and 4 different layers of muscle groups. It's a complex and dynamic instrument that affects and is affected by the rest of your body. Even without, pain foot dysfunction can change the way you walk. Dr Feriedoun Eftekhari; a fully qualified GP turned osteopath says; "Even if the patient has no foot pain I will watch them walk because if they are out of balance or something else is wrong with their feet this will result in undue pressure on the knees, legs, hips and lower back. Overcompensation can lead to terrible back pain and even headaches".

Prevention is always better than cure. Sajjad Afzal; a Harley Street podiatrist specialising in dance and sports says; "Do all the training as advised. Warm up, cool down, work on muscle strengthening. Get your lumbo-pelvic-hip region firing and strong. It's not just your abdominals, but the rest of your torso too. Alexander Technique, Lotte Berk's exercise, Pilates all help. Yoga helps too and look in the mirror to check that your body is balanced and symmetrical because if you're not it may lead to huge bone stresses." He continues "Simple routines can also prevent problems. Maintain good hygiene, take your shoes and hosiery off when you're at home and after washing, dry your feet thoroughly to prevent fungal infections. A dancer might need a little callous skin, but their position should be uniform over the foot. If it isn't it means that part of the foot is overloading and is likely to put stress on the bones with eventual problems". In fact looking at your own body's symmetry is a good early warning for later pain as Mr Afzal continues; "Check for potential problems by looking for asymmetry in your footwear. If there is wear or holes in different places on each foot something's going on and you should get it checked out".

Blisters may occur because of ill fitting footwear, and can be prevented by a good shoemaker, who can stretch the outside of the shoe to accommodate the toe. Whether socks or hosiery, natural fibres are better than synthetics, cotton and wool rather than lycra and nylons as they allow more air and moisture. Unwanted callouses can be pumiced once a week and feet should also be moisturised since dry or broken skin is prone to infection. Any moisturiser will do and foot specific products aren't vital, but don't moistures between the toes as this encourages athletes foot.

Mr Afzal understands the pressure that sponsors can put on dancers to wear specific shoes. He suggests that if they are uncomfortable the best course of action is to first try an inexpensive arch supporting inner sole. If that doesn't work get a podiatrist to make an FFO for you. They are normally made from 1.2mm carbon fibre which is very thin and virtually indestructible.

If you have a condition that requires ducting, binding or cushioning such as a toe that sticks up, there are a variety of safe bindings and silicon products are available. If the condition isn't simple it's best to get a custom made silicon appliances for toes or feet that is durable and safe.

The foot is an incredibly complex part of the body which we rely on completely. As dancers we put more stress on it and rely on it for our passions and hobbies as well as our daily life. We check our teeth twice a year and our car annually because it makes sense to make sure everything is working well and correct problems before they become dangerous. Surely it's sensible to do the same for our feet.